P-LNG, A Low Cost Liquefaction Process
CanaGas is developing a new way to liquefy and transport natural gas using the world’s existing intermodal infrastructure. Using its proprietary type-4 pressure vessels (tanks) secured inside of ISO shipping containers, natural gas can be safely transported by truck, train, and marine vessels. The practicality of the technology is due to the light weight nature of its large composite tanks (aerospace technology).
To transport natural gas, it is stored in a state of pressurized-liquefied natural gas (P-LNG). The state of P-LNG is attained using a combination of moderate compression and conventional refrigeration. At 90 Bar pressure and -50 C, natural gas will be liquefied, but at 90% the density of conventional LNG. Using a proprietary liquefaction and loading process, the cost of liquefaction is around $0.50 / MMBtu (CAN). Conventional LNG is above $3.50 / MMbtu.
To safely transport P-LNG, several tanks are secured and well-insulated inside of a shipping container to form a high impact resistant CanaGas transport module (CTM). The level of safety compared to transporting LNG in an ISO tote frame is at least an order of magnitude.
A CTM will safely transport 10 metric tonnes (470 Mscf) of natural gas in a common 40-ft intermodal shipping container. With 4 tanks in a 53-ft shipping container, 13 MT of P-LNG.
The CTM will provide for the direct delivery of natural gas to industrial and commercial customers. The intermodal delivery of natural gas will bypass costly utility providers and LNG terminals. Where there is no gas provider, CTMs will deliver a new supply of natural gas to help generate commercial and social development.
The CTM may be used to rapidly discharge bulk gas to a distribution pipeline, or, be used as a fuel tank. Such fuel tanks may also be used to fuel ships by converting LNG into P-LNG using a pump and sea water to warm up the liquefied gas.
Other gaseous fluids such as ethane, ethylene, CO2, methanol, & ammonia can also be transported as pressurized liquids but in lower pressure / lower cost tanks.
